Device and methods of use for determining lure depth while trolling

Abstract

A measuring device is provided for use in a method for determining the depth of a trolled lure. The measuring device has an angular scale divided into degrees to measure a dive angle and a bubble level affixed thereto for calibrating the angular scale relative to the horizon. A register pin affixed at a fulcrum of the angular scale forms a center point for a fishing line to rotate about in order to measure a dive angle. The register pin further includes a flange to ensure the fishing line is retained on an outer diameter of the register pin while the dive angle measurement is taken. A mounting device is provided adapted for affixing the measuring device within a boat in a manner that allows for leveling or calibrating.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A measuring device for determining the depth of a trolled lure comprising:
 an angular scale divided into degrees to measure a dive angle; 
 a bubble level; 
 a round flanged register pin; and 
 a mounting device adapted for affixing the measuring device within a boat in a manner that allows for leveling or calibrating. 
 
     
     
       2. The measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting device allows for attachment to a boat structure in a manner allowing for rotational adjustment of the dive angle scale relative to a vertical plane. 
     
     
       3. The measuring device of  claim 2 , wherein said mounting device further comprises a ball and socket positioning arm having the dive angle scale pivotally affixed to an upper terminus and a clamping mechanism at a lower terminus; wherein the mounting device allows for a rotation of the angle scale between a vertical and a horizon. 
     
     
       4. The measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle scale is leveled or calibrated using the bubble level such that a zero axis is parallel with a horizon. 
     
     
       5. The measuring device of  claim 2 , wherein the angle scale is leveled or calibrated using the bubble level such that a zero axis is parallel with a horizon. 
     
     
       6. The measuring device of  claim 3 , wherein the angle scale is leveled or calibrated using the bubble level such that a zero axis is parallel with a horizon. 
     
     
       7. The measuring device of  claim 4 , wherein the register pin comprises a center point for a fishing line to rotate about in order to measure a dive angle “A”. 
     
     
       8. The measuring device of  claim 5 , wherein the register pin comprises a center point for a fishing line to rotate about in order to measure a dive angle “A”. 
     
     
       9. The measuring device of  claim 6 , wherein the register pin comprises a center point for a fishing line to rotate about in order to measure a dive angle “A”. 
     
     
       10. The measuring device of  claim 7 , wherein the register pin further comprises a flange to ensure the fishing line is retained on an outer diameter of the register pin while the dive angle measurement is taken. 
     
     
       11. The measuring device of  claim 8 , wherein the register pin further comprises a flange to ensure the fishing line is retained on an outer diameter of the register pin while the dive angle measurement is taken. 
     
     
       12. The measuring device of  claim 9 , wherein the register pin further comprises a flange to ensure the fishing line is retained on an outer diameter of the register pin while the dive angle measurement is taken. 
     
     
       13. The measuring device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second angular scale opposite the angular scale; and 
 a second register pin opposite the register pin; 
 wherein the measuring device is thereby adapted to be deployed on either a port side or a starboard sides of a boat. 
 
     
     
       14. The measuring device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second angular scale opposite the angular scale; and 
 a second register pin opposite the register pin; 
 wherein the measuring device is thereby adapted to be deployed on either a port side or a starboard sides of a boat. 
 
     
     
       15. The measuring device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a second angular scale opposite the angular scale; and 
 a second register pin opposite the register pin; 
 wherein the measuring device is thereby adapted to be deployed on either a port side or a starboard sides of a boat. 
 
     
     
       16. The measuring device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a second angular scale opposite the angular scale; and 
 a second register pin opposite the register pin; 
 wherein the measuring device is thereby adapted to be deployed on either a port side or a starboard sides of a boat. 
 
     
     
       17. The measuring device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second angular scale opposite the angular scale; and 
 a second register pin opposite the register pin; 
 wherein the measuring device is thereby adapted to be deployed on either a port side or a starboard sides of a boat. 
 
     
     
       18. A method of method for determining the running depth of an artificial fishing lure being trolled behind a boat comprising the steps:
 a. letting out a known length of line between a rod tip and the artificial artificial fishing lure; 
 b. pulling the known length of line taut; 
 c. measuring a dive angle between a horizontal and the known length of line using a measuring device of  claim 1 ; 
 d. determining a depth “D” using an equation
     D =(known length of line)×sin((dive angle)*π/180).
 
 
 
     
     
       19. A method of method for determining the running depth of an artificial fishing lure being trolled behind a boat comprising the steps:
 a. letting out a known length of line between a rod tip and the artificial fishing lure; 
 b. pulling the known length of line taut; 
 c. measuring a dive angle between a horizontal and the known length of line using a measuring device of  claim 1 ; 
 d. determining a running depth “D” using a historically developed dive chart that characterizes the running depth “D” of the artificial lure compared to the known length of line, and in which the running depth “D” is determined using the equation
     D =(known length of line)×sin((dive angle)*π/180).
 
 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said historically developed dive chart is created and used through a smart phone application.